Amitriptyline for IBS-like Symptoms in Quiescent Crohn's Disease
Official title: Amitriptyline for IBS-like Symptoms in Quiescent Crohn's Disease: A Multicenter Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Run by University of Michigan · NCT07556718 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether low-dose amitriptyline can ease IBS-like abdominal pain and related symptoms in adults with Crohn's disease that is in remission.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Michigan Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ann Arbor, Michigan) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 3, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 2029 |
| Study ends | December 2029 |
| Registry record updated | June 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07556718 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18–65 with Crohn’s disease in stable remission who have IBS-like symptoms despite controlled inflammation.
✕Probably not a fit
People whose symptoms do not improve with amitriptyline or who experience adverse effects may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
In adults with Crohn’s disease in remission, ongoing abdominal pain, bloating, or changes in bowel habits can occur. The study will compare amitriptyline to placebo to see if the medication is safe and effective at reducing these IBS-like symptoms. Participants must have quiescent disease confirmed by multiple criteria and meet specific ECG and laboratory requirements before enrollment. The trial is conducted at the University of Michigan in collaboration with a charitable trust. It is a Phase 2, randomized, controlled study evaluating symptom relief in a targeted patient group.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience reduced abdominal pain and improved bowel habits while their Crohn’s inflammation remains in remission.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research elsewhere has explored low-dose antidepressants for functional GI symptoms; this trial tests applicability in Crohn’s patients in remission.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-65 years, inclusive, at the time of consent. * Established diagnosis of Crohn's disease, confirmed by standard clinical, endoscopic, histologic, and/or radiologic criteria. * Quiescent Crohn's disease (qCD) defined by provider global assessment of remission for the last 3 months along with at least one of the following within the past 30 days: * Biochemical remission defined by fecal calprotectin \< 150 mcg/g, OR * Endoscopic remission defined by colonoscopy demonstrating Simple Endoscopic Scoring (SES)- Crohn's disease (CD) \< 4 per involved segment with no large ulcers (≥5 mm), and Rutgeerts score ≤ i1 (when applicable). OR * Radiographic evidence of quiescent disease consistent with the protocol. * Completion of a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) within previous 12 months or at baseline demonstrating no clinically significant conduction abnormalities and a QTc ≤440 ms (males) or ≤460 ms (females). * Presence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome-like symptoms in the setting of quiescent disease (i.e., recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort on average at least 3 days per month in the past 3 months) and bowel dysfunction (i.e. either The Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) 1-2 and/or 6-7) at least 25% of the time in the past 3 months. * At least mild-moderate abdominal pain defined by PROMIS Belly Pain score greater than or equal to 55. (PROMIS score may be re-assed once, 7 days after initial score is recorded * Stable Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) medical therapy for at least the past 90 days (e.g., stable biologic, small molecule inhibitors or immunomodulator therapy with no planned changes or corticosteroids at enrollment). * Willingness to begin study medication using the amitriptyline self-titration schedule (10 mg → 50 mg as tolerated). * If personal history of anxiety and/or depression, stable dose of psychotropic medications for at least 6 months. * Willingness to use effective mode of contraception (e.g., OCP, IUD) for the duration of the study in women of child-bearing age. * Ability to complete electronic questionnaires, symptom diaries, and remote assessments using the REDCap platform. * Ability to provide written or electronic informed consent prior to participating in any study procedures. * Stable IBD medical therapy for at least the past 90 days (e.g., stable biologic, small molecule inhibitors or immunomodulator therapy with no planned changes or corticosteroids at enrollment). Exclusion Criteria: Crohn's Disease-Related Exclusions * Active Crohn's disease, based on objective markers, endoscopic activity, or radiologic inflammation. * Hospitalization for CD flare, bowel obstruction, or other significant disease activity within the protocol-defined timeframe prior to screening. * Actively draining perianal fistula or perianal abscess requiring antibiotics, the presence of a draining seton, intra-abdominal abscess requiring antibiotics or surgical or radiographic drainage, entero-cutaneous fistula requiring active management, or other complications suggesting active inflammation. * Any clinically significant stricture that could explain the IBS-like symptoms * The presence of an ileostomy or colostomy. * The presence of a J-pouch or other stool continent pouch (e.g., Koch pouch, continent ileostomy). Medication-Related Exclusions * Current use of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). * Current use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or other medications that have a clinically significant interaction with amitriptyline. * Current use of Cisapride. * History of hypersensitivity or allergy to amitriptyline or other TCAs. * Planned change in IBD maintenance therapy during the study period. Cardiac and Safety Exclusions * Known cardiac conduction abnormalities, including: * Prolonged QT interval defined as QTc \>440 ms in males or \>460 ms in females in previous 12 months or baseline ECGHistory of cardiac arrythmias, including Brugada syndrome, currently taking guanethidine or recent use of guanethidine in the past 14 days * Recent history of myocardial infarction in the past 3 months * Use of medications that significantly prolong QT interval (e.g., amiodarone, terfenadine, or sotalol), unless deemed safe by study medical oversight. Psychiatric / Neurologic Exclusions * Evidence of active major depressive disorder, defined by depression score greater than or equal to 11 on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) * History of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or other severe psychiatric conditions that may interfere with study participation * Active or passive suicidal ideation in the last 3 months. * Hospitalization for any psychiatric illness in the last year. * Personal history of seizures. * Currently taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or recent use of MAOI in the last 14 days. Other Medical Exclusions * Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or plans to become pregnant during the study period. * Positive urine pregnancy test at screening, if applicable. * History of angle-closure glaucoma. * History of urinary retention requiring hospitalization or emergency department (ED) visit in the last 6 months. * Current or recent substance use disorder that may interfere with participation. * Participation in another interventional clinical trial within the exclusion window * Inability or unwillingness to comply with study visits, medication instructions, electronic assessments, or follow-up requirements. * Any condition that, in the investigator's opinion, would interfere with the study or pose undue risks to the participant.
Where it's running
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University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Allen A. Lee, MD, MS — University of Michigan
- Study coordinator: Charlie Bourque Jr.
- Email: cabjr@med.umich.edu
- Phone: (734) 615-3911
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.